Music

Music is a vibrant part of the worship experience and faith life here at First Baptist Church. Led by Dr. Esther Chang, the various choirs practice on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. In addition to providing music during our Worship services, in December and May we have Music Sunday, a worship experience showcasing the skills of our music program.

We are also proud of our organ, designed by Thad H.H. Outerbridge , which consists of forty-five ranks, thirty-seven couplers, forty-three combination pistons, six reversibles, and 2,322 pipes. Come listen to our organists make full use of this complex instrument!

You are invited to be part of one of the following opportunities to create vital and transforming music.

Vocal Choir

Sanctuary Adult Vocal Choir

Singing in four-part harmony, the Sanctuary Adult Vocal Choir provides music for our Sunday morning worship service. The Sanctuary Choir, sometimes augmented by choristers from other churches and/or instrumentalists, provides concerts in addition to morning worship. Many of the members of the Sanctuary choir participate each year in community chorus presentations of Handel’s Messiah at Christmas and Mozart’s “Requiem” on Good Friday. The Sanctuary Choir rehearses every Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m.

Summer Pick-up Choir

During the summer, anyone who wishes to sing in the choir may meet with Esther in the Music Room (lower level of the church) at 9:15 a.m. to practice as the Pick-up Choir.

Children and Youth Choir

Children and Youth of the church family and wider community are invited to come make music together on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sunday of each month, immediately following worship (11:15 or so). Those who would like to meet with Esther to begin singing together should come to the Music Room (lower level of the church), where they will be served at nut-free/peanut-free snack before making music together. These rehearsals last approximately 30 minutes.

Bell Choirs

We have three bell choirs providing traditional arrangements for the enjoyment of the congregation:

Children’s Bells

Periodically, throughout the church school year, our younger children will also have the opportunity to try their hand at ringing children’s handbells (color-coded to the notes) during our Multiage Children’s Class. They will then have the opportunity to share what they have been practicing in worship. Please contact Julie Flowers at jflowers@fbcbeverly.org with any questions about this initiative, which represents a fun crossover between our Music Department and our Christian Education Department!